The Busker Single Malt (Single Collection)

Very good Irish single malt. Not complex, but lovely balance of flavor. Pours a golden amber in the nosing glass. Aged in both used bourbon and sherry barrels, the nose offers baked biscuit, honey, vanilla, and a hint of ripe fruit. On the tongue it is silky soft and the flavors foretold by the nose play well together. The finish is medium length and seems sweet and tart at the same time. Very easy drinking. Not as good as a 10-15 yo, but is very good and MUCH more affordable. With tax this was $30 USD. It is quite new in my area, only one store within a 50 mile radius of my home carries it as of yet. This is a product of the Royal Oaks Distillery in County Carlow in southeastern Ireland. (Formerly the Walsh Whiskey Distiiery--Writers Tears and The Irishman--was renamed when Illva Saronno who did have a 50% interest in the distillery took complete control a little more than a year ago. At least that is what I have read.)

Nose: I get toasted grain, bakers chocolate, caramel apple and toffee. Pallet: Toffee, buttery short bread, toasted grain and vanilla oakyness. This is a higher proof then most Irish whisky @ 84 proof so there is a little bit of a slow worm mouthfeel on the finish. The only other single malt Irish I’ve tried is Tyreconnell I’d say this is very comparable.

Aroma has a nice richness to it that pulls notes from the fruit, earthy, malty and sweets categories and spreads them out evenly and nicely; Palate find a similar profile, but a bit more on the earthy and malty side of things and a drier delivery; Finish loses some of the sweetness and fades to drier fruit and cereal notes.

Breakfast greets the nose with a malty, honeyed, lightly fruited scent. Upon the first taste, the fruit definitely comes through, reminiscent of apple pie. The finish relatively long with a slightly tannic note, and the apple pie sensibility lingering. Very drinkable and a solid performer.

Sweet and vanilla on the nose, nutty, warm, smooth, spice on the tongue. Out of Busker’s single collection this is the best, it is full, simple. Not a deep or complex whiskey. Easy to sip on and good for as a dessert option.

Light nose, warm and smooth to sip, just a bit of spice at the end. Not something I’d go out of my way to find, but a pleasantly surprising value at $14/bottle. The price point nearly scared me away. A solid value.